ISLAMABAD, Jan 18: Pakistan will provide assistance for rebuilding health infrastructure in Afghanistan and impart training to Afghan medical professionals.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the federal minister for health, Mohammad Nasir Khan, and the Afghan health minister, Dr Sohaila Siddiq, here on Saturday.

Talking to reporters at the signing ceremony, the health minister said Pakistan had agreed to provide short-term and long- term training to Afghan doctors, physicians and paramedics beside rebuilding of hospitals, laboratories and medical equipment for diagnostic purposes. Both sides have agreed to formulate necessary proposals for the purpose, he added.

He said the government would undertake renovation and upgradation of health facilities in Afghanistan.

“For short-term, the government pledged assistance to the tune of $4 million under this programme.”

The health minister said Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital also offered assistance for upgrading eye department of Afghan hospitals, especially at Nangarhar hospital.

“The trust will provide grant for equipment, training and other ophthalmic facilities to the tune of $0.5 million.”

He said Pakistan would provide support through National Institute of Health for strengthening toxicology laboratory and establishing an allergy centre in Afghanistan.

It was agreed to further enhance cooperation at border check posts to ensure that migrant population especially children were properly immunized. It has also been decided to share information on tuberculosis as requested by the Afghan authorities, he added.

The minister said export of pharmaceuticals would be through organized channels. Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association will invite Afghan delegation to improve trade links in pharmaceutical sector, he added.

He said both sides had agreed to take coordinated measures against spurious and substandard drugs. Any complaints about quality of medicines will be officially referred to the health ministry for prompt redressal, he added.

“A standing committee comprising senior officials of the health ministries of both countries will be constituted to facilitate implementation of this joint declaration.”

The ministers expressed pleasure on the progress of proposed cooperation between the health sectors of the two countries.

The federal minister said JICA had agreed to bear expenses of training and education of Afghan health professionals in Pakistan.

On the occasion, the Afghan health minister said: “The visit of Afghan public health ministry’s delegation to Pakistan was very fruitful.”

She lauded Pakistani government’s offer for rebuilding health infrastructure of Afghanistan.—APP